A Billionaire for Breakfast Read online

“I’ll go with you!” Leonardi decided.

  “Or no, please, I don’t want to bother you.”

  “It’s no bother, doll. I think these two would prefer to be alone anyway.”

  She sighed, glanced at Kylie, begging for an out. But Kylie had found her mark – Tess was on her own.

  “Sure, come along then.”

  He took Tess’ arm, led her outside.

  “Which way do you want to go? There are shops this way, and the beach in that direction.”

  “How about that motorbike shop? I’ve been thinking of buying one.”

  “Okay, I wouldn’t mind replacing my old one. It’s a Harley but I’m in the mood for something lighter.”

  They entered the shop, began perusing the contents. Tess kept looking for that man but he wasn’t around.

  She played the bored little rich girl. “I don’t see anything interesting, do you? Where else can we go?”

  “How about my house? It isn’t far.”

  “No, I don’t want to. I think I’ll go parasailing. That looks like fun.”

  “Crappy tourist stuff if you ask me; but it’ll give me the chance to see you in a bikini. I’ll bet you’re gorgeous!”

  Oh damn, she’d forgotten to buy any! Now what?

  “I think I’ll go shopping first. I need a new suit.”

  “Great! I’ll help you pick one out!” He was practically salivating at the thought of it. Tess couldn’t handle the idea of him looking at her half-naked. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for this kind of charade.

  “On second thought I think I’ll walk home. I’m expecting a call from my boyfriend, and I’d rather be alone when I talk to him.”

  “Kylie didn’t say you had a boyfriend.”

  “Oh, didn’t she? I’m sorry. But I do. He’s a big guy, was a wrestler before he started his health food empire. And he’s jealous as the dickens, too. He once broke a guy’s hand for just shaking mine. Well, see you later!”

  She hurried off, left him hanging his head and probably counting his blessings.

  A dip into the warm, aqua ocean gave Tess some relief from the stress of pretending. It also gave her time to clear her mind. This thing wasn’t for her. She couldn’t put on a false face to catch a man, rich or not. She decided she might as well pack up and go back to Astoria. Daydreaming about what might have been would have to satisfy her somehow.

  “Tess? I swear you are harder to keep up with than a toddler!” Kylie marched into the living room and thumped down on the sofa. “Poor Jack! Why’d you tell him that awful story?”

  “Oh, I couldn’t stand him, Kylie. He was making my skin crawl.” Tess was lying on another sofa, turning channels on a huge TV with the remote control. “I’ve made a decision. I’m going back home.”

  “I thought you didn’t have a home.”

  “Right, I don’t. I guess I’ll go back and crash on your couch till I find one, if that’s okay?”

  “No, it isn’t. I need you down here. And your room is paid for so why not stay and enjoy it? I understand if Jack wasn’t your cup of tea. He’s more my style. I’m thinking of tossing Patrick over for him.”

  Tess sat up. “But why? Patrick seems like a cool guy. There’s something so familiar about him. I can’t quite figure out what.”

  “Then maybe you should go for him.”

  “Oh no, I don’t feel that way about him. It’s more of a platonic thing, you know? Why don’t you like him?”

  “Oh, he’s so stuck in the past! Goes on and on about losing his one true love because he was too weak to stand up to his parents! He’s been divorced five times! Says he keeps looking for her in other women and of course that never works out.”

  “Well, hell, why doesn’t he look for her? Or is she dead?”

  “That’s what I asked. He said he found out where she was a long time ago but everyone he talked to described her as a bitter man-hater. He was afraid to look her square in the eye, and face the wrath of a woman scorned.”

  “God, she sounds like my mother!”

  “You know, I thought the same thing.”

  They looked at each other, puzzling. Then Tess shook her head.

  “Nah, it couldn’t be. That would make him my dad. What are the odds of me finding him without even trying?”

  “His family was wealthy, true?”

  “Sure, but it couldn’t be him.”

  “I suppose not. He would’ve recognized your last name, at least.”

  “No, he wouldn’t. Mom changed her name to Carol Jenkins. She was a model for a time, if you can believe it, but when she dropped that she went undercover, changed her name and wound up stuck in a dress shop for the rest of her life. I’m not even sure what it was before. She never told me.”

  “Then maybe we should look into it, Tess.”

  “There must be millions of women like my mom in the world.”

  “Oh, I seriously doubt that! But anyway, he and Jack are coming over tonight. They’re bringing some friends, to help us get acquainted with the community. I’ve hired a caterer so there’s no fuss involved. All you have to do is show up!”

  “Ugh! I don’t think I could stand being in a crowd of those people!”

  “Just say hello then you can disappear into your room, please?”

  “Okay, I’ll do it. I owe you big time for this trip, Kylie. It’s the least I could do.”

  The party began before sunset. Kylie made a great splash with the crowd, serving up the trendiest cuisine and cocktails. And she looked stunning in her metallic red dress. She certainly was in her element – every guy wanted to make love to her and every woman wanted to be her.

  Tess greeted everyone, even Jack Leonardi, cordially, and tried to slip away but Patrick Mercer was fascinated by her, kept asking her to stay.

  “Kylie told me about your mother. Do you think she could be my Margaret?”

  “Margaret?” Tess was shocked. “That was your girlfriend’s name?”

  “Yes. Margaret Milan. Does that sound familiar?”

  “It’s odd, mom never told me what her real name was, but once a lady who said she was my grandmother called to talk to her, and she asked to speak to Meg. I told her no one by that name lived with us.”

  “Meg, yes, I remember people calling my Margaret by that name.”

  “I thought you had found her, and her friends told you she was bitter?”

  “Yes, but that was years ago. I wanted to go back, to talk to her but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m a coward, I suppose.”

  “You haven’t looked for her since?”

  “No, not at all. I heard she changed her name and moved, so I figured she got married, and I stopped looking. But now as I get older I find I need closure. Tell me about your mother … she has black eyes, like you?”

  “No, her eyes are a very pale blue.”

  “Margaret had very striking blue eyes … the kind you can’t forget.”

  “I have a picture of my mom. I took it with my cell phone, without her knowing. She hates having her photo taken but I wanted to have one of her. I’ll get it!”

  She hurried to her room, found the cell phone, brought it back. When Patrick looked at it he became speechless.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, but … Tess … this is my Margaret!”

  “It’s impossible! If it’s true it means that I am …”

  “My daughter!” His eyes were filling with tears. Tess almost swooned. Patrick caught her, helped her to a seat. “Is it such a horrible prospect?”

  “No, it’s just overwhelming! I never imagined what my dad would be like. It didn’t occur to me. I guess I assumed he was some rich jerk that wouldn’t give me the time of day!”

  “And am I?”

  “Oh no, you’re wonderful, really! From the moment we met I felt a connection to you. Maybe Fate brought me down here, to find you!”

  She stood, leaped into his arms. The feeling was magic – she’d never had a father to hug before. And he was
perfect, so handsome and smart, though a bit weak, maybe. She thought she must get that from him.

  They left the crowd without telling them their secret though Tess did send Kylie a happy nod to which Kylie clapped her hands like butterfly wings and smiled. She was wrapped up in Jack Leonardi’s arms, listening to every word he uttered with infinite patience and charm. Tess could see a bright, wealthy future for Kylie.

  Patrick and Tess strolled the beach, watching the sunset together, talking endlessly of love and pain and each other’s pasts. They hatched a scheme to bring her mom down to the islands. Tess hoped she wouldn’t regret it.

  Once the party was over and the house quiet again, Tess wandered about in the dark, thinking about life and its mysteries. She poured herself a bit of wine and sipped it as the moon spread its pallid light over the calm sea.

  Her mind was on him – that man. She didn’t even know his name. Now she was one of the rich he’d hate her for sure. Patrick had sworn to introduce her to a new, exciting world where she could have anything she wanted by merely asking for it. But all she wanted was him – that man. More and more she knew he was the love she had longed for since she was old enough to think about such things. All she could see when she closed her eyes was him, his hot glances, his waiting lips, his muscled body. Nothing seemed right without him. She had to find him again and make him hers.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Well, do I feel lovely this morning!” Kylie sang as she virtually floated about the kitchen, making coffee and toast. “I think I’ll have a billionaire for breakfast!”

  Tess frowned at her. “He’s going to hear you.”

  “No, Jack is still sound asleep! After the party we had a few too many drinks and wound up in my bed all night! Um, was he good!”

  “I thought you knew how to hold your liquor.”

  “Oh, I do, darling. Luckily, he doesn’t!”

  “God, Kylie, you never miss a trick!”

  “Is that a compliment, or an insult?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Kylie laughed, began to set a nice meal on a breakfast tray. “What’s the plan concerning your mom? How on Earth will you get those two together?”

  “That’s not what I’m worried about. What will Mom do when she sees him again? I just hope she can’t get her hands on a knife!”

  “Oh, Tess, really! I’m taking this upstairs. There’ll be a Do Not Disturb sign on the door so … see you later!”

  She danced out of the kitchen, carrying the tray, and humming like a songbird.

  Tess was happy for her but there was a gnawing in her stomach. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something not quite right about Jack Leonardi.

  “I think I’ll get Patrick to investigate him,” she whispered. “But then, what if Jack should investigate us?”

  She sighed, grabbed her purse and headed down the beach. She was determined to find her mystery man.

  “Good morning, Tess!” Patrick Mercer called out from behind her as she walked across the George Town street that led to the motorbike shop.

  He ran up and hugged her as she turned towards him. “I don’t think I can get used to that!”

  “What, dear?”

  “Hugging my dad.”

  He laughed. “Just think how unusual it is for me to suddenly have a daughter! In five marriages I managed to avoid becoming a father then overnight … here you are!”

  “Are you sorry? I’d understand completely.”

  “Oh no, I’m thrilled! I thought I made you believe that last night!”

  “I guess it’s still a bit like a dream.”

  “I hope to make it very real for you today. My lawyer is in town. He wants to meet with you, to start the legal process of claiming you as my child.”

  “Oh, so soon? Shouldn’t we wait until Mom gets here? I haven’t even called her yet. I honestly don’t know what I could say that would bring her down here.”

  “You’ll think of something. Come on, let’s meet James at The Players’ Club.”

  “Oh but I had an errand to run. Could I meet you there in a few minutes?”

  “Sure. We’ll have a morning cocktail and discuss business while we wait. You go on ahead.”

  She nodded and took off for the shop. Inside, the usual beer guzzling crowd stood about laughing and joking. They all pointed their gazes at Tess as she entered, gave her a creepy crawly feeling as their glazed eyes caressed her figure.

  A burly fellow with a blond Afro stepped up, grinning. “Can I help you, Miss?”

  “I’m looking for a man.”

  “Well, there’s several here, sweetie, take your pick!”

  The men laughed; Tess lowered her head. My God, why did she phrase it like that?

  “I meant I was looking for a friend of mine.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Again, the laughter.

  “Oh, never mind!” she huffed and walked out. Then she changed her mind and returned.

  “Back for more, eh?” the man smiled.

  “I just need an answer, please? I met a man on the beach yesterday. He has black hair and blue-green eyes, and rides a black motorcycle. I know he frequents this place. I saw him here at lunchtime. I need to find him. Can you help me?”

  “You’d be talking of Angel.”

  “Angel?”

  “That’d be what we call him.”

  “Is he here?”

  “No, haven’t seen him today. He’s probably out on his skiff.”

  “His what?”

  “His skiff, girl, ain’t you never heard of that? It’s a boat. He takes it out beyond Cayman Brac to fish.”

  “Oh, I see. Well, how would I get there?’

  “Hire yourself a boat.”

  “Where would I do that?”

  “You are a tourist! Look about the shore, you’ll find somebody to take you, if you’ve got the dough!”

  “Thanks, really, I mean it.”

  “If you mean it, give us a tip.”

  “Sure.” She pulled a twenty out of her purse and handed it to him.

  “Well, I was hoping for a kiss but this’ll have to do. Get on with you!”

  He nodded her towards the door, tried to smack her behind as she left but she dodged his hand like a bullet.

  “Some friends you keep, Mr. Angel!” she grunted as she hurried to The Players’ Club.

  The afternoon flew away as Tess was bogged down in legalese. Patrick’s lawyer, an attractive eagle-eyed, no-nonsense-tolerated sort of fellow named James Fielding, had had experts working all night and morning to prove she was who she said she was. And that Carol Jenkins was indeed Margaret Milan. Now that he was satisfied he made her sign document after document. Her hand was tired, her nerves were frayed and she was desperate to be done. Somehow she knew Angel wouldn’t be there if she ever had the chance to go out to Cayman Brac on a boat. Once again, she’d missed her chance.

  She didn’t want to think about how easy it would be for him to find her - if he had the notion which apparently he hadn’t. Was she being a fool? Probably. But God she wanted to be near him, to feel her fantasies come true in his arms. No one had ever brought out this kind of desperation in her; this must-have-or-die exasperation. Her lips were hungry for his kisses, her breasts aching to be touched by his wonderfully strong hands, and the thought of him inside her sent her into a dizzying kind of rapture. She needed him for release, and love and whatever else he was willing to give. And she needed him now!

  “Your mind is far away, Tess,” Patrick noted quietly. “Are we overwhelming you?”

  “A bit, yes. But could I ask you to do something for me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Could you find out something about a man I met here? His name is Angel.”

  “Angel? That’s it?”

  “I’m afraid so. All I know is he rides a black motorcycle, and he fishes off Cayman Brac.”

  “But Tess, really, someone like that is n
ot worthy of you. I have lots of friends with young sons you could meet. I was thinking of giving a party at my mansion tonight, to introduce you to everyone.”

  “I don’t think I want to do that. I’m not good in crowds.”

  “Nonsense. You’ll do fine. Now, call your mother, please?”

  “All right.” She flipped out her cell phone, punched in the number.

  “Hello.”

  “Mom, it’s me.”

  “Are you still in the Caymans?”

  “Yes. Look, I’m sorry we had a fight. I want to make it up to you. If I pay for your fare, will you fly down and stay with me?”

  “In that woman’s whorehouse?”

  “Geez, Mom, cut me some slack, would you? I won’t be staying there anyway. I … I’ve found a job, a good one, and you can stay with me at my employer’s house.”

  Patrick frowned at her; she shrugged.

  “Employer? What kind of job is it?”

  “I’m a …”

  “A secretary,” Patrick whispered.

  “I’m a secretary. It’s quite a good opportunity. You’d be proud.”

  “Well, I’d like to see where you’ll be working. To make sure they’re on the level. Book me a ticket and I’ll fly down tonight. I’ll pay you back later.”

  “Okay.”

  “Oh, Tess, I am sorry I acted so harsh about your trip. Forgive me?”

  “Of course, Mom. Love you.”

  “Love you, too, baby. You’re all I have!”

  “I know. Bye.”

  She snapped the phone shut. “You have a lot of hurricanes here, don’t you, Patrick?”

  “Yes, more than our share. Why?’

  “I think you’re about to have another one.”

  Night time; a gorgeous, almost full moon held dominance over the sky, lighting up the island like a Hollywood spotlight. Tess had moved her things to Patrick’s unbelievably enormous mansion, the Shell House, named so for its cone-shaped rooflines that rose and ebbed like a dozen conch shells gathered together. It was decadent in its decorations, gilded furniture and marble floors from Italy and a million dollar indoor pool room with ceilings painted as intricately as the ones in the Sistine Chapel.

  She was blown away by the extravagance of it all, and the servants who catered to her every whim. The fantasy of being wealthy had come true amazingly fast and without any real effort on her part. She felt a bit uncomfortable with that but Patrick had told her to sit back and enjoy it – so she was. Her mother would be there soon, and then the roof would blow off. She feared the scene that would follow once Carol, or Meg, arrived and saw the face of Tess’ new ‘employer’.